EPL – Match Preview – Watford vs AFC Bournemouth

EPL – Match Preview – Watford vs AFC Bournemouth

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Hornets will be looking to keep the sting in their attack when they take on Bournemouth at Vicarage Road this weekend.

Watford play home to Bournemouth this weekend and will be seeking to continue their good run of form they’ve experienced over the last two games. A win over 2-1 Crystal Palace in the premier league and a 1-0 win against Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round gives them some momentum heading into this match. This season has seen Watford win 10 games and draw 6, losing 10 matches also.

The Cherries, on the other hand, haven’t won since the beginning of February, which was also a 2-1 victory against Palace. They’ve suffered two league defeats and an FA Cup defeat since then, which will have fans nervously looking down the ladder to see who is behind them.

Watford currently sit in ninth spot on the EPL ladder on 36 points, whereas Bournemouth are further down the ladder, residing at fifteenth on just 28 points. A win for Watford would see them jump Liverpool into 8th spot, Bournemouth would stay where they are but move to 31 points. If the Cherries were to lose and Swansea beat Tottenham (or even draw), then Bournemouth could drop to 16th and on the brink of falling into the relegation zone on the EPL table.

Key Battle – Ighalo/Deeney vs Bournemouth Defence

Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo have formed a powerful partnership through this EPL campaign and have 24 goals between them. Deeney has 8 of those goals, and 6 assists. Ighalo is the real menace on the pitch and has 14 goals with 3 assists. Bournemouth defence will struggle to contain these two. Watch out for the quick counter-attacks.

Team News

The Hornets will be without Joel Ekstrand who has an ACL injury. Jose Manuel Jurado Marin is still struggling with a calf/shin injury but could be fit for the match. Amrabat should get the start for Jurado. Miguel Britos is also questionable with a hip/thigh injury. Manager Flores should still be able to field a relatively strong lineup and has the depth in substitutes to cover any issues that arise.

Watford expected starting XI: Heurelho Gomes, Sebastian Prodl, Craig Cathcart, Nathan Ake, Nyom, Etienne Capoue, Ben Watson, Valon Behrami, Nordin Amrabat, Odion Ighalo, Troy Deeney

Max Gradel, Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings all have knee injuries. Gradel and Wilson are both coming back from ACL injuries and should return in mid-march and mid-April respectively. Howe’s team have struggled of late, losing to Stoke and Arsenal in their last two league matches, and losing their FA cup match against Everton at home.

Bournemouth expected starting XI: Artur Boruc, Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Adam Smith, Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman, Dan Gosling, Harry Arter, Marc Pugh, Junior Stanislas, Benik Afobe

Head-to-head

Over the last ten occasions between the two teams, the Hornets have taken the spoils 5 times, Bournemouth with 2 of the wins and there have been 3 draws.

Previous Meeting

The last time these two teams met back in October, it played out as a 1-1 draw. Glenn Murray opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Ighalo equalised in the 45th. Murray missed a penalty in the 85th minute which would have sealed the match for the Cherries.

Key Match Facts

The last time Troy Deeney played Bournemouth at Vicarage Road was back in August 2013, it resulted in a 6-1 win for Watford and a hat trick for Deeney.

Bournemouth have only lost one of their last seven away games in the EPL this season, however they have dropped 14 points from winning positions this season. The most of any EPL team.

The Hornets have failed to score in four of the last six league games, they have also lost five of their last nine Premier League games – W2, D3, L5.

Prediction

These teams never disappoint when playing each other, Watford may just sneak away with all three points against a lowly Cherries side and push them further down the ladder, whilst boosting themselves further up the table. 2-1 score prediction with Ighalo netting both goals.